Pack a Shoebox and Share the Good News
Operation Christmas Child is a project of Samaritan's Purse, an international Christian organization that responds to the physical and spiritual needs of those in crisis. As a ministry, OCC delivers gift-filled shoeboxes to children around the world. This is a tangible expression of God‘s love as ministry partners around the world share the Good News of Jesus Christ, God‘s Greatest Gift. Since 1993, more than 244 million children in over 175 countries and territories have received a shoebox gift.
The MACC is Anne Arundel County's Central Drop-Off Location during National Collection Week (November 16–23). To provide ample time for packing, shoeboxes will be available for pick up starting Sunday, November 1st. Please return all shoebox gifts to the MACC by Sunday, November 22nd. Below you will find opportunities to volunteer, tips for filling your shoebox gifts and information on how to pack a shoebox online.
Volunteer Opportunities
Anne Arundel County Central Drop-off Location
The MACC is Anne Arundel County’s Central Drop-Off location. OCC boxes collected all throughout the county are brought to the MACC prior to being sent the Baltimore Processing Center. We’ll need volunteers to greet donors, bring shoeboxes in from vehicles, pack shoeboxes in cartons, and load cartons in 32-foot long pup trailers. Please sign up at the link below to volunteer.
OCC Processing Center
Did you know there are only eight regional processing centers in the United States? Living in this area provides you an incredible opportunity to prepare shoebox gifts for international delivery. You can be the last person to touch and pray over a shoebox gift before it makes its way to its recipient! The Baltimore Area Processing Center is located at 7201 Ambassador Rd., Windsor Mill, MD 21244. Please visit www.occvolunteersignup.com for more information on how to volunteer at the Baltimore Processing Center.
Build a Shoebox Online
Don’t think you have time to shop? You can still bring a smile to a child’s face and share the hope, joy and love of Christ through a shoebox gift. With your prayerful giving, MACC can continue sharing the gospel message to the ends of the earth. Click the link below to build a shoebox online through MACC’s 2026 Goal Page. Then take some time to explore stories about how the Gospel is being shared where the Name of Jesus has never been heard: https://samaritanspurse.org/endsoftheearth. Happy Packing!
Shoebox Packing Basics:
It’s very important to pack quality—FUN, FULL, AND PERSONALIZED—shoeboxes, where no two are exactly the same!
Steps to packing a shoebox:
SHOEBOX: Get a standard-size shoe box to pack for a boy or a girl.
FUN: Select a quality “wow” item, such as a doll, soccer ball with pump, or stuffed animal.
FULL: Fill the box to the brim with other fun toys, personal care items, and school supplies.
PERSONALIZED: Include an encouraging note and photo for the child.
PRAY: Pray for the child who will receive your gift. This is the most important thing to add to your shoebox!
DONATE: Include a $10 donation per shoebox to help cover shipping and other project costs. If you make your donation online through Follow Your Box, you’ll discover the country destination of your shoebox gift!
DO NOT INCLUDE soap, candy, toothpaste, gum, used or damaged items, scary or war-related items, seeds, food, liquids or lotions, medications or vitamins, breakable items or glass containers, or aerosol cans.
For more gift suggestions, including lists by age and gender, click LEARN MORE below.